Page 75 - BWA Annual Report 2023

PILBARA
Keely O'Brien - Participation Officer
ASSOCIATIONS IN THE PILBARA HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK CREATING A THRIVING COMMUNITY
BWA remained dedicated to advancing basketball development in the Pilbara even without an appointed RDO, striving to service the region and deliver impactful initiatives despite limited resources.
WESTERN DESERT TOUR
In June, participation officers Jessie Goodluck and Keely O’Brien joined Ngurra Kujungka on a trip through the outback in the Pilbara, visiting the remote community school RAWA in Punmu before travelling to a second campus in Kunawarritji, where a brand-new basketball court had been built.
In the lead up to the court’s opening ceremony, they helped activate the space, fostering community engagement through 5 on 5 basketball and fun-first interactive games designed to educate the communities on the fundamentals. When the court wasn’t being used for play, it was the host of the welcome to country, the stage for live music from the Kunawarritji Band, and surrounded with fire in preparation for the official opening ceremony.
BWA CLINICS AND COURSES
BWA returned to the Pilbara in November, conducting basketball clinics targeting girls and boys from Years 4-6 in Roebourne, U10s-U18s in Hedland, Year 5-10 in Tom Price, and high-performance athletes from U14s-U18s in Karratha. Additionally, School Slams were held in both Hedland and Karratha.
Our Coach Development Manager Damian Barr enhanced coaching standards by conducting clinics and group sessions multiple times across the year in Karratha and Port Hedland, while also assisting with the facilitation of Karratha Cyclones trials for the upcoming Country Championships.
Additionally, BWA collaborated with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and the local council to host an Association Beginner referee course in Port Hedland, attracting 20 participants. A Level 01 Referee Coach Course was also conducted in the Pilbara for the first time in several years, bolstering officiating capabilities.
These initiatives aimed to promote active participation in basketball and cultivate a vibrant basketball culture across Pilbara communities.
KARRATHA HOSTS NBL-1
In a landmark event, an NBL-1 round was held in Karratha on Easter Saturday between the Geraldton Buccaneers and
thePerthRedbacks,showcasingWA’selite male basketballers in action at the Karratha Leisureplex. The event brought excitement to the local community and attracted 500 live spectators, further boosting basketball's popularity in the region. Both teams hosted a player run open clinic for the Karratha juniors during their visit, inspiring the next generation of athletes in the region.
ASSOCIATIONS AT WORK
Despite not having a regional development officer, associations in the Pilbara have been hard at work creating thriving basketball communities and achieving milestones. Karratha Basketball Association shone in various award ceremonies, clinching the titles of Regional Association of the Year at both the BWA and Karratha Community Sports Awards, as well as Sporting Organisation of the Year at DLGSC Pilbara Regional Sports Awards. They had several high-performance athletes selected in national tournaments both playing & reserve groups including Southern Cross Challenge, U16 Nationals, and U18 Nationals. In 2023, KBA boasted over 1800 members, maintaining their high standards as the basketball community thrives in the northern city.
2023 saw All Hedland Basketball put together 5 travelling teams in preparation for next year’s Country Championships for the first time. With performance programs encouraging junior athletes to strive high, AHBA athlete Olivia Geary was selected in the Perth based and highly competitive High Performance Development Carnival training team, a first for AHBA.
An under 16 boys’ team represented the Pilbara region at the 2023 WABL 3x3 Championship, with boys’ from both Newman and Karratha filling the ranks. Facilitated by BWA, the team participated in a free 3x3 clinic and scratch match with the Great Southern team the evening prior to the tournament in preparation for their first WABL 3x3 attendance.
We have an ongoing dedication to expanding opportunities and nurturing talent in our regions, and despite the challenges posed by its remote nature, the Pilbara is no exception. Thanks to the dedicated teams servicing their cities, we are seeing more and more athletes, coaches, referees and other basketball members in the Pilbara excel within the sport.
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